Side chain compression in Ableton

Here is the first in a sequence of three videos showing a tutorial on side chain compression

In this video (part 1 of 3 focusing on Sidechaining) Dubspot instructor and Ableton Live expert Steve Nalepa shows how to use the Compressor-Sidechain audio effect in Ableton Live. Put simply, Sidechain Compression allows “different elements of your songs to essentially dance together.” Professor Nalepa starts by creating a simple dubstep drum pattern (kick and snare), adds a couple of synths which overpowered the drums, basically drowning the kick and snare. To remedy this imbalance, Nalepa select the synth tracks and grouped them together, and worked on the tracks/elements individually, reducing volume and adding effects. The popular effect has been used by a number of unique electronic and dance music producers from Daft Punk and Justice to newer artists like Baths and Nosaj Thing extraordinary results.